We continue to look at JV opportunities for additional spectrum... there are a number of different options we look at, (we) have been talking with cable companies, with Clearwire, Robert Dotson, chief executive of T-Mobile USA, told analysts at an investor presentation on Thursday.

He said the company did not expect to rely on a national broadband plan the federal government is currently working on. The plan aims to expand access, increase Internet speeds and shift airwaves to mobile services.

T-Mobile USA is a distant fourth in the U.S. mobile market, behind Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp.

Because T-Mobile USA has been losing customers, to larger as well as smaller rivals, there was a rash of speculation last year about its future, with possibilities ranging from a merger with Sprint, Leap Wireless International Inc or MetroPCS Communications Inc, to a network partnership with Clearwire Corp.

Asked whether T-Mobile USA would consider teaming up with U.S. competitor Sprint Nextel, Dotson said: What you never want to do is take one company that is going through challenges and take another company going through challenges.

He said T-Mobile USA was not looking at how you change the configuration of the U.S. market.